It’s hard for me to sum up everything I have come to learn that points towards our lifetime being an incredible time to be alive. Most compelling for me was looking at human evolution through the lens of Spiral Dynamics, which is ultimately exactly the same as the chakra system, with some added conception vessels from Chinese acupuncture.
Basically, it took humans thousands of years to evolve from the root chakra (“beige” according to Spiral Dynamics) to the water chakra (“purple” according to Spiral Dynamics), but now it takes us only a few years, maybe even less, to evolve from one to the next. (The same phenomenon is happening in the technology field, as well as availability and capacity to store information.) As a global community, we are likely in throat chakra (“yellow”) consciousness, and there are hints of ajna (“teal”) consciousness. It could be any day that the human race reaches crown chakra (“coral”) consciousness, and when we do, the next evolution is a new beginning. That new beginning could happen around 2012, and given how many native peoples have prophecies about this time, it seems like a perfect fit.
One way or another, I feel excited and privileged to be alive right now. I believe something will happen in 2012, or, as Drunvalo says in the above video, the Maya say it could happen as late as 2015. Many schools of thought and many native peoples all converge around this date.
The idea of “as above, so below” lives in my thoughts every day. Drunvalo says in another video series that all of the information of the stars can be found in one cell of the human body, meaning, everything that ever has happened or will happen is within each of us. And we are all one body. That’s how I see our future in the chakra system. Our road is already mapped out inside each of us. You cannot look to news for information. Everything you ever wanted to know is inside.
So what is in store for us once we reach and evolve beyond crown chakra consciousness? It’s simply a new beginning, perhaps just more dramatic than those that came before. In the end, we have nothing to fear. The most important thing is to stay rooted in the present, and accept anything that comes our way. Drunvalo says we may experience a period of 30 hours of blindness (maybe literal, maybe not). If so, there is simply nothing to fear. Everything will be happening exactly the way it should be.
The above video talks more about this, specifically from the Mayan perspective. The difference between this video and any other about Mayan prophecy is that Drunvalo was given express permission from the highest Maya elders to convey this information to us. He was invited by these elders to participate in a ceremony performed only once every 13,000 years. And he has video. How cool is that??
I’ve really been enjoying acupuncture over the last month. Not only does it make me feel relaxed, but it’s helping me make good eggs and a cozy womb for our upcoming IVF cycle. I especially love it when the heat lamp comes out! Makes my tummy super toasty.
I’m very glad that my husband is also giving acupuncture a try. It’s good for him because he never totally relaxes. We relax on the couch and watch TV, but that’s not the kind of relaxation I’m talking about. I’m talking about the kind of total relaxation when you’re laying down, eyes closed, with no input from the world at large. The added benefit for him is that it can help improve his already great swimmer count and quality!
None of this baby making stuff is an exact science. The odds of actually ending up with a baby at the end of this is 50/50. I’m really hoping that acupuncture helps to tip the scales a bit in our favor. Regardless of how things turn out, I’m happy that my husband gets to play a more active role this cycle. Acupuncture is bringing us together in a weird way. It’s like science is running the show and we’re just watching, but with acupuncture it feels like we have a role besides just following orders.
Oh, and I find out today if we’re approved for the IVF grant. Fingers crossed!
The human DNA is a biological Internet and superior in many aspects to the artificial one. The latest Russian scientific research directly or indirectly explains phenomena such as clairvoyance, intuition, spontaneous and remote acts of healing, self healing, affirmation techniques, unusual light/auras around people (namely spiritual masters), mind’s influence on weather patterns and much more.
I was sent a link to this article. It was interesting to read. I guess there is always an element of truth to some things – don’t know how much Truth there is to any of this. But that is why I share it, so we can all think about the possibilities.
Perhaps what I take from it more (less so than trying to scientifically prove the existence of telepathy or such phenomena) is the idea that words can potentially hurt or heal. We can all remember when something someone said hurt us or made us feel better – perhaps this is congruent? I’ve been doing a bit of research recently into the placebo effect in medicine and how researchers are looking into this, so it was kind of synchronicitous to get this article sent to me.
I’ve been thinking about how to answer the question “how does Chinese Medicine work?” if I am ever asked that by clients. So far, I haven’t come up with an answer. Of course, there are lots of theories that have been put forward by practitioners, philosophers, and scientists over the millennia; they all seem reasonable when put to me, even if they all contradict each other – but hardly what I would call satisfactory even for more the purest of believers.
And maybe that’s the thing: I want to believe! Why? Because Chinese Medicine treatments worked for me on every occasion I turned it to it for help, and not necessarily from the same practitioner. Did it have something to do with the practitioner? (On more recent occasions, that practitioner has been myself!) Or was it a placebo-like effect that involved myself believing that I would get better with this treatment?
Again, the answer is an emphatic “I don’t know!”
The more I attempt to find this answer, the more it eludes me. This is also the case even when I apply this inquiry to aspects of Western medical concepts – let’s face it, a lot of disease and dysfunction is described in the text-books as “idiopathic”.
There is a part of me that is comforted by not-knowing. Is that my inherent mystical part of me? Is that because it leaves undiscovered territory, thus feeding the heroic adventurer in me, giving me the opportunity to find and explore something that no-one else has?
I think this last notion is somewhat true, and the fact that this ‘undiscovered country’ seems to lie within me (and not ‘out there’) also feeds my inner mystic. The fact that the final frontier may well be inner space excites and terrifies me at the same time. But it also comforts me to know that so many thinkers, writers, mystics, philosophers, sophists, etc weren’t actually deluding themselves or wasting their time
But my question remains – what role does science play in this exploration? Indeed, can it play any role, given its pre-occupation with physika – the material, physical aspects of existence.
Which is precisely why I have been questioning the role of modern scientific research in validating the existence and practice of Chinese Medicine. How can we even contemplate the traditional scientific methodology to provide us the evidence of something as fundamental and un-quantifiable as Qi? (Itself a fundamental aspect to the entire paradigm of Chinese Medicine). For Qi is not a substance (as it is so often mistakenly referred to as), it describes an effect; and whilst we cannot see Qi we can most definitely perceive its effects.
There is one core principle of modern scientific research which is inconsistent with the fundamental tenet of Daoism which underpins much of the CM paradigm. Much scientific methodology depends on the elimination of variables (often referred to as confounders), and this has led to experiments involving double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (amongst others). The principle being that the experiment is set up in a ‘completely’ controlled environment to study the effects of something (often a substance, i.e. a drug) against another situation (or substance/drug) that is known to have no such effect. The idea being that the results in such studies (as in all studies) should be repeatable, and thus creating validity (and thus also Truth). Basically, if something happens again and again, then this is seen as constant and therefore can be depended on at all times, in all situations.
However, there is only one problem with this world-view, which many scientists now begin to understand; something that the ancient Daoists formed as the principle tenet of their understanding: that the world is constantly changing. The universe is not a static one, and indeed the only thing we can depend upon is that everything is in a dynamic state of flux (some call this entropy).
It’s all well and good to set up an experiment where all the variables are eliminated to test the effectiveness of a drug or treatment; but how often will that environment exist within the normal, natural, every-day world of which we are a part? Our lives do not exist in a vacuum of variability and change. Much of the current research into CM herbs is set up in these ways, where a laboratory animal is artificially given a specific illness (injections of bacteria, viruses, tumour cells, etc), and then an extract of a specific herb is injected into the affected cells to observe if they make a difference. All that such experiments can truly tell us is so narrow, so specific that it cannot hold any real clinical significance to the practitioner of Chinese Medicine. Even worse is that it is rare for a CM herbalist to use a single herb in the treatment of illness, preferring instead the use of formulas: a poly-pharmacy where herbs are synergistically combined to bring about a more holistic therapeutic effect.
yi bing tong zhi, tong bing yi zhi
different disease, same treatment; same disease, different treatment.
This statement exemplifies the paradoxical nature of the CM paradigm, how we understand the body’s functioning, pathologies, and treatment principles. The Western scientific notion of repeatability is inconsistent with this idea, and thus renders what we do as somewhat unquantifiable, according to current scientific methodology.
There is one method of scientific methodology which can help here: the very simple act of observation. If a treatment works, does it matter how it works, or even if it will work again? Perhaps this is where the “science” of the Placebo Effect comes into the discussion. If it is a ‘placebo’ which brings about a therapeutic effect, why should it be dismissed, as it so often is? The Placebo has become the Researcher’s scapegoat, the symbol of the unknown and un-controllable; it is the anti-Science, being to Science as what the Devil is to the Christ in the Judaeo-Christian mythologies.
Drug experiments often discount the effectiveness of a drug because it shows to have a positive therapeutic effect on a minority of cases, and thus is shelved. Why should that 10-40% people who would benefit such a treatment be denied access to it, because it has not been shown to be of benefit to everyone? So too, with the Placebo: perhaps some people would benefit from such treatments, in which case are we not bound to provide them with that treatment, which would show to alleviate pain, stress, or discomfort?
Chinese Medicine as it now stands is the beneficiary of over 2000 years of clinical evidence. This is how we learn to use the tools of Chinese Medicine to help our communities, and how we know what approach to take in any given situation. The CM practitioner has to be highly flexible and adaptive in their approach to each and every patient.
Perhaps it is that we cultivate the situation where the patient engenders their own healing…?
Yesterday I visited a Naturopath because I am one of the many people out there who suffers from headaches and migranes and over the last couple weeks it was getting unbearable. I’ve tried many treatments to help get rid of these suckers such as: Massage, Osteopathic treatment, Chiropractic treatment, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture… and while all of these were great and helped my body and life in their own way, they never completely got rid of my headaches. So when my Chiro suggested I see a Naturopath to determine if I had any food intolerance’s I jumped on the idea. And I’m just lucky that my extended medical covers it!!
So after an hour long appointment discussing my headache history, intensities and doing this electro test thing.. my Naturopath came to the conclusion that my body doesn’t tolerate the following: GREEN & BLACK TEA, TOMATOES, and WHEAT!! Now I’ve never been a lover of tomatoes but to know that when I do toss that ketchup on my fries I’m really hurting my body… that’s going to be a big step for me. And honestly, I drink green or black tea daily… like 5 times a day daily!! So that’ll be another challenge. I’m just glad to hear that my herbal teas are okay … And of course everyone knows that wheat is in everything, so to be quite honest, I’m waiting until after the holidays to eliminate that from my diet so I can still enjoy my moms turkey stuffing and goodies galore!! *blush*
I guess it’s hard to know exactly what our body is telling us all the time and I’m just really glad I was fortunate enough to obtain the services of my Naturopath. And now I can start seeing if some of these food intolerance’s are linked to my headaches and migranes. I’ll let you know how it goes! Bye for now.
One of the great features on somibo.com is discounts and coupons from wellness related businesses. So far, in cities across the USA, businesses are signing up to be listed on somibo (it’s free!) and are offering coupons of all kinds.
In Manhattan, the following cities here are a few businesses that have listed discounts:
Homeopathy Works – 20% discount Allure Day Spa – 10% off Medical Massage Group – $10 0ff your first visit Aiyana Acupuncture and chinese Herbs – $25 off initial visit Trust Your Heart Reiki and Healing – $20 discount Gotham Wellness - $20 off your initial acupuncture session Gramercy Pilates and Fitness – $20 off each of the first 3 private sessions
Check out the Discounts and Coupons section of somibo.com in your city to see who has listed discounts.
Don’t forget – if you don’t see a wellness related business not listed on somibo.com, please suggest a business to us.
If you see a business on somibo.com that you have something to say about — then please post a review.
So I subscribe to a bunch of email list-serves and end up getting tons in my email inbox, tending to just pick some out at random and read them every once in a while. Today, I decided to read one and came across this article that I just had to share with you. If you are at all interested in Alternative Medicine of any kind, or (& especially) if you consider it all a bunch of ‘hocus pocus’ I highly recommend you continue reading.
A few times throughout the article I found myself going “right on… take that you skeptics”… but in my more appropriate, non-partisan mind, I’m thinking “this is just a good heads up to everyone that we should always remember to consider the source; the person’s intention, background, and underlying benefactors or motivations when reading any kind of information or research”.
Dear Reader,
Marilynn Marchione got it exactly right.
This Associated Press medical writer has been working on a series of articles about alternative medical treatments. Each piece begins with this note: “Ten years and $2.5 billion in research have found no cures from alternative medicine.”
She’s talking about the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. And I agree completely. For the most part, NCCAM has been cranking out lame studies that test absurdly low doses of herbs or supplements, or use poor forms of these treatments.
For instance, a 2003 study showed that Echinacea was ineffective in treating upper respiratory infections. One problem: Researchers used Echinacea mostly extracted from the flower of the plant. As any herbalist will tell you, roots contain the most potent concentration of medicinal agents, while flowers tend to be the least potent.
So that $2.5 billion that was largely wasted by NCCAM turns out to be a pretty sweet gift for people like Marilynn who take great delight in alt med “failures.”
In the most recent article in her series she spotlights the placebo effect. You can just imagine how she applies this to alt medicine.
Marilynn: “The placebo effect looms large in alternative medicine, which has many therapies and herbal remedies based on beliefs versus science.”
{and… here it comes, my favorite part…}
Well…not really. Those beliefs are based on centuries of trial and error conducted by generations of doctors and scientists. That’s how they did it back then. And it’s both naïve and arrogant to dismiss all that knowledge just because it doesn’t conform to a modern idea of “gold standard” research.
Marilynn also enlightens us with this note: “Many alternative medicine studies have not included a placebo group…”
Here’s my note to Marilynn: This isn’t 1980. You MUST be aware of the thousands of randomized, double blind, placebo controlled alt med studies over the past decade. And you must also be aware that sometimes a study’s design just doesn’t require a placebo group.
For instance, a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine tested a supplement of niacin (vitamin B-3) against Merck’s Zetia, a drug that reduces cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract. More than 200 patients with heart disease or heart disease risk were randomly selected to receive either the supplement or the drug for 14 months.
Results: LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced in both groups. HDL cholesterol increased in both groups (mostly in the niacin group). But two important things happened in the niacin group that DID NOT happen in the Zetia group: 1) Thickness of the carotid artery walls was reduced in the niacin group, and 2) Incidence of major cardiovascular events was lower in the niacin group.
Fewer heart attacks and a reversal of arteriosclerosis. Not too shabby! We may not have enough evidence yet to actually say that niacin might “cure” arteriosclerosis. But it’s not too soon at all to point out to Marilynn that as placebo effects go, the reversing of narrowed arteries and prevention of heart attacks is pretty impressive.
In fact, it’s almost too impressive. Why…it’s almost as if this alternative medical therapy actually works!
Hopefully you’ve taken the time to read through this article and taken a little insight into the ability of some to misconstrue information if that’s what they intend to do. Be smart, get all the facts, expand your reading material (read information from people you don’t necessarily agree with). There is always something more to be learned, and gained from a different perspective and arming yourself with the information is crucial especially when it comes to your health!
~Be Well~
Erin
Source: The Health Sciences Institute, Dec. 2nd 2009 *This article was taken from an email subscription sent to me*
After a wonderful acupuncture session last Thursday, I left with a few helpful hints that I plan to implement starting now.
I need to stop thinking in “industry” terminology. No more references to infertility or measures in terms of success or failures. This is about assisted reproduction. My RE is helping us improve our chances of conception using advances in science. I am fertile. Just because I’m unexplained, doesn’t make me infertile. Trying to conceive with the help of ART simply gives us a little boost over what my body is able to do on its own. It’s still my husband and I coming together to create a new life. It just so happens that another man gets to take frequent peeks at my vagina.
Next steps:
No more tagging or categorizing blog posts with terms like infertility and IF
Talk more about my fertility, not lack thereof
No more focusing on failures — just looking ahead to the new opportunity that each cycle brings
Another thing my acupuncturist mentioned was the idea of creating a “field of dreams” for my baby to be. She mentioned that she knew someone who made a quilt for their future baby. Creating something to symbolize and welcome your future baby helps you to focus on the positivity around the thought that one day — maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next month, but eventually — there will be a baby in your arms to cuddle and snuggle and smooch. I am working on some ideas. I’ve always thought I would like knitting or cross-stitch.
Lastly, I’ve been doing such a great job of building walls around me during this TTC journey, that over time I’ve managed to exclude many people who care about me deeply. Perhaps some of the important people in our lives should be included in what we’re going through. Maybe sharing our struggles and stresses with them will help us feel more connected and supported. Telling my friend last weekend was such a relief. Is my mom the next person to hear our story? I’m putting some serious thought toward it.
I feel like we’ve been at this long enough that I’m bound to slip up anyway. As a matter of fact, just last week I was discussing the flexible spending account offered by our insurance company to an employee and I accidentally called it the FSH program instead of the FSA program. Geesh!
Anemia is a comon result of various cancer, it also could be seen after chemotherapies.
Many cancer patients seek acupuncture as a complementary therapy when they get conventional oncological therapies, such as various chemo, radiation, surgical treatments.
We have several cancer patients. One patient had very bad anemia, after 2 year acupuncture treatments, her Hb improved from 5 g to 12.5 (recently). And her complexion improved a lot.
One patient under chemotherapy, his WBC droped down to 1,500, after two session acupuncture in one week, before his MD considered using drug to stimulate blood production, his WBC already got up to 6,500.
Our patients also told us, after acupuncture, their energy level goes up, eliminate some uncomfortable due to some therapies, could tolerate more chemoand other strong treatments.
Today’s round-up of news about migraine, visual snow, persistent aura and related illnesses:
One More Reason to Ban Artificial Sweeteners from Your Diet. Posted by: Dr. Mercola. November 17 2009. Individuals who consume a diet high in artificially sweetened drinks are more likely to experience a decline in kidney function, according to a paper presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual meeting in San Diego, California … Among the risks, the phenylalanine in aspartame dissociates from the ester bond and increases dopamine levels in your brain. This can lead to symptoms of depression because it distorts your serotonin/dopamine balance. It can also lead to migraine headaches … a similar mechanism.
Worker Sues After Termination for Legal Marijuana Use. November 16, 2009. A newly hired employee of a Washington company failed her initial drug test because of her use of medical marijuana recommended and prescribed by a physician. The company fired her for drug use and she sued … “Jane” suffered from migraine headaches. In June 2006, her doctor authorized the use of marijuana as treatment for her migraines. On October 3, 2006, TeleTech conditionally offered Jane a job at the Bremerton facility. As part of the hiring process, it gave Jane the applicant drug policy, which stated that all applicants were required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and receive a negative result in order to receive employment.
[Use of cannabis has a statistical link to development of adverse medical conditions. Being an hallucinogen, it is possible that its use may also trigger "visual snow" or aeropsia; though I have found no direct evidence to support this. Cannabis use is illegal in many countries. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_%28drug%29#Long-term_effects http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_snow See also the PMA & Visual Snow FAQs page.]
‘Complementary medicine useful’. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 » 07:55am. There is a place for complementary therapies such as herbal remedies and acupuncture in Australia’s hospitals, an academic says … Prof Cohen is overseeing a trial in two Victorian hospitals, in which people arriving at the emergency department with back pain, migraine or injuries like a sprained ankle are offered acupuncture for pain relief.
Being sick the last few days I have had several friends stear clear fo me like I had the plague or swine flu, can’t say I blame them either.
So it prompted me to do a little blogging about when are you contagious and when is it “safe” to be around people again. This goes for Flu and Common Cold.
To keep it simple and short.
First onset of Symptoms wait 7 days
After last symptoms wait 24 hours
Cold Virus can stay on things like stair rails, phones, refrigerators etc…for up to 2 days Did you know:
Exersice is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick, just moderate exersice daily can reduce the risk by 33% hmmm no wonder we as Americans get sick, 2/3’s of us are overweight.
“The first duty is to take care of the body, which is the means to the pursuit of spiritual life.”
-Sanskrit proverb
Chinese Confinement-”Zuo Yuezi”
When I was studying Chinese medicine I had always heard about this 30-day indoor period that was required after childbirth. I chalked it up to the lack of indoor heating in 300BC and the fact that some traditions never die but I have to say I am starting to think that there is more to it than that. I definitely didn’t stay indoors for 30 days-I was eager to get out and mingle with other moms, push my stroller around and well, just get more tired. So I started thinking that maybe some elements of this confinement period would be really useful.
The idea that the body needs to recover after childbirth is no mystery-but just how long? The western concept is 6-weeks for a vaginal birth but what can you do during that 6 weeks? You are still allowed to shower, drink water and eat vegetables-all activities that are forbidden in traditional Chinese post-partum recovery.
The theory is that the body is very weak after childbirth and there is usually substantial blood loss. This makes the body more susceptible to chills and pathogens which will further weaken the woman. Not showering keeps the pores closed and pathogens out.
Cold foods also weaken digestion and can dilute the blood which, needs to be thickened. As a matter of fact the whole body is considered “cold” after childbirth so all the foods are aimed at “warming up” the body.
She must stay at home and stay warm. She must avoid cold temperatures, cold water, cold wind and cold foods. She must refrain from washing her hands, take occasional warm baths and only eat certain “warming” foods.
Stricter rules include, no drinking water (only boiled red date water) and absolutely no washing your hair for 30 days. Youch! I think I’ll go for the ginger laden foods and have some people come over and help!
Some warming foods include:
* Chicken with sesame and ginger
* Pig trotters in vinegar-?? Go figure?
* Boiled red dates
* Ginger
Recipes & Breastfeeding Foods
Congee or Jook is a great food for getting the body up and running fast. Congee is a diluted rice soup that is very easy to digest…and it can me made a million ways. The following recipe is great for post-partum recovery because the adzuki beans help tonify the blood, the sesame oil nourishes the uterus and ginger and garlic keep the internal organs warm.
Ingredients:
* 1 cup of rice (white, brown, jasmine etc)
* 1/3 cup adzuki beans
* 6-10 cups of water
* 2 scallion stalks
* decent wedge of ginger
* 2 garlic cloves
* sesame oil to taste
* soy sauce to taste
* salt & pepper to taste
Preparation:
Cook the rice and beans with the water in a pressure cooker or regular pot. Bring to a rapid boil and then let it simmer for about an hour or two. The mixture should be the consistency of drippy gruel when it is complete.
In a seperate pot saute the ginger & garlic and add to completed congee. You can also add cooked chicken or pork to the soup. Garnish with scallions and sesame oil….. Delicious.
Beneficial Foods:
· Rice, grains
· Spelt bread
· Avocado.papaya
· Salad
· Carrots, squash
· Apples, pears, bananas
· Eggs
· Cranberry juice
· Fennel, fennel tea (Mother’s Milk tea)
· Seaweed
· Amazake, mochi
· Chicken and Fish
· Almond milk
· Protein shakes
Acupuncture treatments are also fabulous to help restore mom after the long journey.
Treatment within the first few days of pregnancy is geared towards moving blood through the uterus to ensure that all of the products of birth are out. After three days or so treatments involve a lot of moxa to help warm the center to strengthen mom. These treatments are suitably called “mother warming”.
You could say I took a break from posting for a while. It was unintentional but that’s what happened. After the craziness of August’s IUI-turned-IVF-then back to-IUI and the subsequent negative result, I needed to get away from writing and thinking about infertility. We did have a consultation with the dr. about what happened and our options. We’ve decided that we are not going to mess around with more IUI cycles. That one was traumatic enough. The dr. agrees. He thinks that it would be traumatic for us both emotionally and financially. So we are going to do IVF next. When that “next” time will be… that I do not know. I just know that now is not the time.
Several weeks ago I came to the realization that what was propelling me forward in this treatment was not my desire for a baby. It definitely started out that way. Now it is more about finding out whether I will be able to get pregnant. That’s the big question. I don’t think it is a good enough reason to try to make a baby (especially through such an arduous and expensive technique). So we aren’t. Not until that desire to have a baby comes back.
Even then it might not be for a little while. I have also realized how important it is to me to move ahead professionally right now. I’ve been a student for 22 years straight. I went straight from college to grad school. I am in my last year of my doctoral program. I’m supposed to graduate in the spring and I don’t want anything to get in the way. In many ways, getting my doctorate has been like a difficult pregnancy. I am late in that last trimester and I want that baby to come out. The process has transformed me in ways both amazing and uncomfortable. I am very thankful for the opportunity. But I need to push this degree out. I need to see the fruition of my labor. It may not be as cuddly or cute as an infant, but that degree is going to be beautiful. I await it with eagerness and anticipation. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for me professionally. This degree has been my baby and perhaps I need to give birth to it before I give birth to a child.
So we are waiting. In the meantime I increased the dosage of metformin to 1000 mg based on the dr.’s recommendation (I have been taking 500 mg because 1000 mg made me so sick I could not keep anything down). I’m doing okay with it. I have a low appetite and cannot eat as much at one time. I also cannot easy greasy foods unless I want to throw up and feel sick the entire next day. That lesson has been difficult for me to learn for some reason. But I am thankful that I can keep food down. I’m also going to start acupuncture. Basically, we are leaving the door open for a pregnancy to occur (not probable but perhaps a tiny bit possible) but we are not actively trying.
This week I did have a couple thoughts like “oh, it would not be bad to have a baby.” I take that as a good sign. Maybe the desire will come back. For awhile now I pushed that desire down because it was too painful. We’ll see what happens. We are not in a rush. The dr. told us that people like us (26 years old; healthy except for pcos; no male factor) do not walk out of their clinic without a baby. I thought that was pretty bold but it made me feel much more comfortable with waiting. So I’m choosing to believe that the answer to my question “will I be able to get pregnant” will probably be “yes” and that gives me the freedom to wait for the time that feels most right.
So I am not supposed to stress out right? Easier said than done 3 days before the wedding. I have ears seeds in for the last two weeks to help me stay centered. I’m thinking I’ll add a few more today.
It can be very busy the week before the wedding so I’ll impart some wisdom that’s been handed down to me.
#1 plan your meals
It is so busy and last thing you need is a pizza hangover. Make sure you are taking your greens. In the morning I am loving a smoothie with Dr Schulze’s SuperFoods Plus powder. When I am eating right I feel better and I’m more likely to get it all done with a smile.
#2 Stay Hydrated
I carry a huge Klean Kanteen bottle with me everywhere, thank god I have a huge purse too.
#3 Care for your skin
The week before use natural products that help reflect your radiant beauty. Stress has a tendency to dehydrate and a good moisturizer will shine. I love the Purify Serum with the Refine Healing Herbal Serum from Golden Path Alchemy. Stress can also bring on breakouts which is everyone’s wedding nightmare right. So I have been using the Purify Herbal Cleanser in the morning and the Refine Cleanser at night. I also use the Goji Glow Mask about every other day, just to get that gorgeous glowing complexion.
Fertility issues or preconceptual guidance is part of the midwife’s role and is something I am often asked about. Apart from the usual information for someone planning a baby, actually getting pregnant can sometimes be an issue. The medical profession often do not consider it a potential problem unless you have been trying for a baby for around 18 months, and indeed it can often take longer – this must seem like forever when you aren’t getting pregnant. I do know that stress (including trying for a baby) and sub-optimal health can lead to difficulty in conceiving, so bear this in mind.
To get yourself into optimal health obviously you need to eat well, be rested. There are some very good websites, particularly the Foresight website and I suggest you work through this list.
How aware you are of your fertile period? It is usually 14 days before a period, so if you have a 28 day cycle it is day 14, but on a longer cycle it may well be later, and just to confuse things women do not always ovulate on day 14! There are various things you can use, like predictor and charting your temperature etc, but also by looking at your normal vaginal discharge (!) at your fertile period the discharge will change from a thicker creamier discharge moving towards a clear, stretch discharge like egg white. To help with conception it is best if you have sex on alternate days around this period.
The objective was to compare; traditional acupuncture treatment, acupuncture at Neiguan P-6 only, sham acupuncture and no acupuncture treatment for nausea and vomiting. 593 women who were less than 14 weeks pregnant were randomised into 4 groups and received treatment weekly.
The acupuncture group, in which points were chosen according to a traditional acupuncture diagnosis, received two 20 minute acupuncture treatments in the first week followed by one weekly treatment for the next four weeks. The sham acupuncture group were needled at points close to but not on acupuncture points. Both the acupuncture group and the sham acupuncture group received their treatment from the same acupuncturist.
The outcomes of treatment were measured in terms of nausea, dry retching, vomiting and health status.
When compared to the women who received no treatment; the traditional acupuncture group reported less nausea throughout the study and less dry retching from the second week The Neiguan P-6 acupuncture group reported less nausea from the second week and less dry retching from the third week. The sham acupuncture group reported less nausea and dry retching from the third week.
So while all three acupuncture groups reported improvement with nausea and dry retching, it was the traditional acupuncture group that had the fastest response. Patients receiving traditional acupuncture also reported improvement in five aspects of general health status (vitality, social function, physical function, mental health and emotional role function) compared to improvement in two aspects with the Neiguan P-6 and Sham acupuncture groups. In the no treatment group there was improvement in only one aspect.
Although there were no differences in vomiting found in any of the treatment groups the authors speculated that more frequent treatments might have produced greater benefits.
In assessing the safety of acupuncture in early pregnancy data was collected on perinatal outcome, congenital abnormalities, pregnancy complications and the newborn. No differences were found between study groups in the incidence of these outcomes suggesting that there are no serious adverse effects from the use of acupuncture treatment in early pregnancy.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for women who experience nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy.
Acupuncture comments
Treatment method
The traditional acupuncture treatment involved the insertion of up to 6 needles per treatment. De qi was obtained and the needles left for 20 minutes. Points were selected according to the following pattern differentiation.
This is a very interesting study, as it explores the use of traditional diagnostic patterns compared to the use of a point formulated treatment. In doing so it provides information both to acupuncturists and the western medical health professions about the most effective use of acupuncture. This reseach provides reassurance to the medical profession that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment in early pregnancy as well as confirming the effectiveness of traditional diagnosis over using prescription point acupuncture.
If you have a cold or flu-type virus, eating the right things can help you feel better and can also help you get well faster. Easy-to-digest foods are the best and they include: chicken soup (or broth), apple juice (or sauce), bananas,tea and toast (together).
Honey in the tea and/or on the toast is very tasty, especially raw honey – which has lots of nutrients. Honey is also good when added to a hot toddy – lemon, water, and, if it is the right time of day, a little whiskey(!!). To make this drink, squeeze a fresh lemon (or some lemon essential oil) into a cup of hot water and add the honey. This drink will replace your fluids while breaking down mucus in your sinuses and lungs and is also good for the vitamin C it provides.
Also, breathing in steam from your drink will warm up your respiratory tract which the little viruses hate – they like it nice and cold!
GANMAOLING TABLETS
This is an excellent cold or flu remedy and can also be used as a preventative. The main herb in this formula is Isatis (Ban Lan Gen), a great anti-viral. Take at the first signs of illness, since it works better the earlier you start it. It’s good for both wind-cold and wind-heat. Some possible symptoms are fever/chills, swollen lymph glands, sore throat and upper back/neck stiffness. The normal dosage would be 4-5 pills three times/day or 2 pills two times/day as a preventative.
NASAL OIL
This is an oil that is applied to your nose with a q-tip. It will open up the nose and is used for acute and chronic sinus problems and allergies. It can be used as needed.
Remember that:
Herbs are recommended for most healthy adult people as a means to promote better health and well-being. However, the following precautions are recommended:
***Pregnant women or women nursing a baby refrain from taking ANY herbs due to lack of testing of most herbs on fetuses and infants.
***For children under the age of 18, please see a medical practitioner.
***People who have food allergies, sensitivities or digestive problems should be cautious when taking herbs, and carefully review the ingredients on the label for potential allergic reactions.
***If you’re currently taking any prescription medication, please see your doctor before taking herbs to ensure there are no contraindications.
***If you have a serious or life-threatening medical condition, please see your doctor.
Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. I make no claims as to efficacy or safety of products appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources: Chinese Herbal Patent Formulas by Jake Fratkin, Outline Guide to Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines in Pill Form by Margaret Naeser.
“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” ~Baron Baptiste
Many sources site stress as the number one killer to date. Stress can take on many different forms, and can contribute to symptoms of illness. Common symptoms include headache, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, short-temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, low morale, depression, and anxiety.
We all have stress we just need to figure out how to cope without it taking it’s toll on the vital organs of the body. I mean, what is more important than your body? It is your vehicle for LIFE.
Read on for some tips for reducing stress. I am also offering a stress reduction special for October and November. * Tend : protect and care for your children…oxytocin release.
* Get a babysitter (maybe it is those kids are driving you nuts). * Befriend. chatting and giggling advised.
* Relax. breathing, yoga, meditation, couch time.
* Acupuncture. Read study below on how acupuncture works.
* Make time for yourself. even 15 minutes can help. * Sleep. 7-9 hours boosts immunity.
* Sex. Oxytocin is good. * Move that body…see above.
* Eat right. you know the drill.
* Get help from a professional if you need it.
* Compromise. being right all the time doesn’t foster friendship.
* Write down your thoughts. conjuring Pablo Neruda… * Help others. Its nice not to think about yourself.
* Get a hobby.
* Set limits. There are only so many hours in the day.
* Plan your time. * Avoid: drinking too much alcohol, using drugs, smoking, or overeating.
Stress Reducing Bargain:
Save 15% on 5 Treatments. $63 Value. Acupuncture can help calm the mind, ease anxiety and remember how you innately want to feel…awesome.
Facial Rejuvenation: Packages include full body and facial rejuvenating acupuncture and acupressure. Save 10% on Packages of 10. $100 Value.
offer valid until November 15th 2009.
contact: Laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.
The race is tomorrow morning and I’m clearly both excited and nervous. I could tell, as my sleep was a bit erratic last night. Yesterday, I went to see Nancy Burns, Valley Acupuncture, for my pre-race energy tune-up. I did this before my last race, and I truly believe it helps with energy and my muscles. My friend and fellow runner, Kathie, is coming over shortly and we’ll head to the Race check-in to pick up our packets. They are expecting nearly 20,000 to run/walk tomorrow at the San Jose Rock’nRoll 1/2 Marathon, so should be both fun and crowded. Nice to see so many people out doing fun, fit and reasonably priced activities. The world is not falling completely apart as the news may seem to indicate…at least not for we runners! Other things I’m doing today, drinking lots of water and Gatorade, went for a brisk walk, and will have a nice dinner this evening and get to bed early. Preparation is the key and I’ve done all I can, so let the race begin!
The Chinese have their own way of healing themselves that date back to, Food, Health, the Stone Age. Acupuncture is one traditional healing method that made the Chinese very popular. In fact, this technique of relieving pain is so renowned that it has spread to other parts of the world and used up until today by people, Food, Health, of various nationalities who believe in this Chinese method. Acupuncture in China started at around 3,000, Food, Health, B.C. and used sharpened stones or the Bian shi for their needles. These sharp pointed rocks used in treating diseases in the olden days were discovered by archaeologists in ruins. In the U.S, Food, Health, ., acupuncture became known in the 1970s after the publication of an article in New York Times. The article was written by James Reston who had appendectomy in China and acupuncture therapy to relieve his discomfort after the surgery. Later on, it was the National Acupuncture Association (NAA),, Food, Health, the very first association dedicated to acupuncture in the U.S. that spread the word through its seminars and research presentations. Chicago is just one state in the U.S. that provides this acupuncture therapy. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveals that more than 10 million adults in the U.S. have used acupuncture at some point in their lives. Acupuncture Chicago involves the insertion and manipulation of very fine filiform needles on certain body points to relieve pain and promote healing. The traditional Chinese theory medicine claims that the body’s acupuncture points are located along meridians where the qi or energy flows. There are a total of 14 meridians located throughout the body, the 12 of which are the main acupuncture points while the two are the extra. There are also the so-called tender points used for, Food, Health, treating local pain. The main 12 blood flow pathways are, Food, Health, in the heart, lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium, liver, gall bladder and San Jiao. Acupuncture as part of oriental medicine Chicago involves features different types such as the classical Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Tibetan and, Food, Health, Korean. These days, people practicing this therapeutic method use disposable very fine stainless steel needles that are sterilized with ethylene oxide with the upper end covered with wire or plastic. According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, this Chinese form of therapy is accepted in the U.S. as very effective in treating musculoskeletal pain. The NIH in its 1997 consensus statement has also acknowledged the value of acupuncture in conventional medicine and has encouraged further studies on this subject matter. In the Chicago area, there’s A Center, Food, Health, for Oriental Medicine which offers acupuncture therapy,, Food, Health, herbal medicines, Chinese acupressure massage and lifestyle counseling. The center is known for its compassionate way of treating a patient’s entire physical and mental well being, promoting balance, Food, Health, and providing pain relief Chicago using a holistic approach. It also utilizes high quality Chinese herbs Chicago that are safe to use in treating various conditions.
Dr. Eric Herman of Liberty Chiropractic and Wellness Center is pleased to announce his participation in BioVeda Health and Wellness Centers, featuring Bax 3000 Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy for conditions such as Allergies, Asthma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Eczema and other conditions. Please look for continued updates to our blog including patient testimonials, feature videos and case studies! www.biovedawellness.com
About the Technology
The BAX 3000™, introduced by BioVeda Technologies, formerly BioAllergenix, has been rapidly accepted into the alternative health care industry based on its dramatic success rates in reducing and eliminating a myriad of chronic symptoms. Through the use of Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy or NSRTSM, the BAX 3000, provides a much needed alternative to help patients’ symptoms associated with common ailments such as allergies, asthma, migraines, IBS, CFS, food sensitivities and chronic skin conditions.
NSRT is achieved by measuring increases in neurological stress levels associated with specific environmental substances and coupling these environmental stressors with a positive stimulus conditioning the body to react normally during real world exposure. This is done using a proprietary and patented LASERSM or light and sound energy relaxation technique which stimulates nerve bundles located on acupuncture points and along the spine triggering the brain to release endorphins and enkephalins which calm the nervous system, thus breaking the previous negative association. Rather than releasing histamine during future real world exposure, the brain elicits a neutral reaction.
The BAX 3000 provides a fast, fully-automated, painless, non-invasive and effective methodology to address the suffering of millions of people who previously had few options for relief.
I visited an acupuncturist the other day. A traditionalist with the Chinese meridians and whatnot. I didn’t realize those trained in the East had a “schtick”. Do you hear my amazement? Schtick, I tell you. First, he looks at my hands. Nails, fingers, general robustness. Palms next, then he takes my pulse. Not heart rate. Pulse. Then there’s my tongue– stick it out and try not to look silly. There’s other things, but I’ll skip to the schtick. He looks at me very sternly and says I have a conflict in my body. There’s an imbalance between my head and my constitution. I think too much, I read too much. My mind races at night. I don’t sleep well and I spend too much of my time indoors. He says this imbalance doesn’t affect me so much now because I’m young and healthy, but in ten years, watch out. I’m going to have trouble peeing, guaranteed. And that’s just the start. My qi (chi) is bad right around my middle. All that thinking is bad. All that jogging I had been doing was bad. Weightlifting is bad. Plus, I don’t drink enough water or the right kind of water. WHAT?
If I were going to persuade someone to hinge their future health on a fringe modality, then I would take the tack used by this man. And when I say fringe, I mean it. If you believe in acupuncture and its effectiveness, then great. It’ll probably work for you, but that’s the thing. You have to believe in it. I think the efficacy studies show that benefit rates rival that of placebo which is to say 1 out of 3 will find relief. 2 out of 3 won’t. When drugs are put through trial, they have to better this placebo rate in order to make it to market. Otherwise, you might as well take a sugar pill.
It’s a little frustrating. I like acupuncture. I like the idea of it. I’m not sure it wouldn’t work given the right condition, the right patient, the right doc. It all depends. Just because you have a herniated disc doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have surgery. Same thing here. Acupuncture could have helped me. Could have. But not this guy. Too many red flags. Not enough to walk out, but just enough to cancel after a good night’s sleep. Plus, a quick review with the boyfriend confirming the goofiness didn’t hurt.
Sometimes a good barometer of an interaction is how they qualify it. My thoughts on his theory were delivered with honest skepticism. I countered his claim that I didn’t sleep well. I sleep great. Especially when I’m not in pain (hint, hint). He seemed to think my attitude was a result of having presented all his facts in a way that overwhelmed me. He had confused me.
Ohhh, I was confused– What is going on? I was confused all right. I thought paternalism was a Western attribute. If you’re puncturing tissues in the meridian, wouldn’t it behoove you to know a little about the underlying structures and tissues? Their names at least? Maybe having more than a superficial knowledge of the more allopathic therapies?
I’m snarking on the man, I am. I have to say I don’t think that kind of certitude is usually present in a healer. There’s something to be said for doubt, for exploration, for listening to the patient. To put forth a position, but heed the contraindications. I had wanted to impress upon him the benefits I had gotten from trigger point injections but he appeared impatient. Trigger points, BTW, are not exactly allopathic. If anything, they’re more fringe than acupuncture. But it worked for me and that’s the thing. If my direct experience demonstates a significant and positive effect, I have to revise my doubt. It’s called proof. When I find proof, I like to air it. It’s called discourse.
I don’t think he was much a fan of discourse. He patiently bore me out, interrupting only a couple times, and then deciding that my inability to embrace his view was a result of having given me too much too soon. It was too Eastern for me. Clearly, I was a Westerner. How could I comprehend the holistic gestalt of a culture so ancient, so wise, so mystical practically? My ignorance was understandable.
After all of it, an unkind thought occurred to me. I thought, isn’t that a passive-aggressive move? To claim my comprehension falls short implies that his logic could still hold water. It’s a point of sophistry ably demonstrated in the film Thank You For Smoking. Dad and son take a hypothetical argument. Which is the better flavor: Vanilla or chocolate? Son takes vanilla. Dad argues chocolate is the best, but people should have choices. What about strawberry? So the son cogently points out he hasn’t proved chocolate is better than vanilla. Dad says, that’s not the point. You win the audience, you win the argument. And that’s what old Mr. Acupuncture did. Except I was the audience. Telling me his Eastern logic is too lofty for the scrutiny of Western intelligence doesn’t exactly win me over.
If your name is Maurits or Moritz, then today is your day!
Autumn arrives today at 418pm (my time). And it sure feels like autumn. It is only 58F here now at noon & it has been raining lightly. I was freezing so I turned on our portable heater. Feeling better. The skies look the same to day as yesterday. We had half an inch of rain yesterday morning. Friends near us had an inch, but near McPherson I saw fields that were flooded. Must have dumped rain there. And in McPherson I saw a tree whose leaves are just starting to change. Cool!
Yesterday was a full day. I had errands at 2 banks and my pharmacy. Then off to acupuncture. After my treatment I got so dizzy. I felt ok sitting and driving but when standing was light-headed. I think I just had not drank enough before my treatment. After eating supper and drinking lots of coke, I was fine.
I owed Sally some money for an upcoming trip so we had a nice visit and with one of her workmates. And while there found out there is a problem with some insurance that goes with Willie’s medicare. We supposedly had this coverage for 2 years and now they are saying WE cancelled it 2 years ago. Sooo. I just called and got someone with a strong accent I could not understand. She asked for info from our card that was labeled totally different than what was there. *I* could not ask about my own husband without his permission. He had to verbally give it. What if he had a stroke and could not talk? Well, we have the official card and at no time were we notified it was not valid. What an idiotic way to run a business. And proceeded to tell her so. She said she will forward this info to the enrollment department. I told her we will be lucky if we hear from them within 2 years or ever. I am sooo pi$$ed off.
Yesterday evening I met Eric for supper at Jalisco’s and then we went to class. It was a night of discussion and movie clips. Good evening.
Yesterday I had to order some flower arrangements for Swedish group this friday. I took a wonderful photo inside the flower shop and also of the winery window.
Today is a quiet day with no plans.
Louise Beal: “Love thy neighbour as yourself, but choose your neighbourhood.“
In the same office as the acupuncturist is a woman who does massage. This isn’t any massage this is The Arvigo Technique of Maya Abdominal Massage. It helps the flow of blood , it moves the chi energy and so much more. I was excited to make my appointment. Whatever it takes to increase my chances of getting pregnant.
It’s a two hour appointment. First thirty minutes for intake and talk about your goals. The next is for the massage. She told me during the intake that she can help with breaking up the cyst inside of me from the Endometriosis. Which endometriosis can cause low fertility. I haven’t been checked recently for the cysts but I was diagnosis and had surgery in 2003. The doctor said they would come back. I figured they have since my flow is back to the same as 2003. After the massage, she showed me some simple self techniques. My body will have better results with daily maintenance.
I’ve finally got far enough through processing my last week that once again I can think in vaguely grammatically correct and possibly even coherent sentences. So here goes…
In the words of that famous Chinese curse/blessing, I’ve been living in interesting times on a very personal level. ‘Stuff’ of a serious nature has been happening to/with/for me on both the physical and metaphysical levels. I’ll deal with the physical first, so those of you who aren’t into the metaphysical can escape gracefully! Although if you’re squeamish you may want to leave right now…
Right.
For those of you still here, I shall continue.
The Physical.
A few years ago I was diagnosed with endometriosis. About 18 months later I had my innards scraped out (the posh term is ‘laprascopy’), a relatively straightforward procedure greatly complicated by me getting fluid in my lungs from the anaesthetic process. Apparently I was full of endo and they weren’t able to scrape it all out (when the consultant gynacologist told me it was a ‘hard operation’, I chose to believe him!). I won a couple of months of pain relief and then it was back to normal.
For the last 18 months or so, I’ve been back and forth to the specialist – it takes a while because I’m using our public health system and the appointments are approximately six-monthly. My six-monthly follow up for my December ‘08 appointment was last week (do the maths!).
After a discussion with a wonderful registrar (not at all sarcastic here), it seems likely that, as well as the endo, I also have adenomyosis, a diagnosis they cannot formally confirm without removing my womb.
So my options for further treatment in the Western medical sytem appear to consist of having a hysterectomy (which may or may not fix the endo) or leaving it alone and taking large quantities of painkillers for a week each month while lying in bed whimpering until I hit menopause. Strangely, I find neither of these options terribly attractive.
So, I thought I would see what Oriental medicine has to offer me.
On Friday, I went for my first ever acupuncture appointment. To paraphrase the diagnosis, I’m a stagnating pond! That is, excessively damp and rather blocked up. I really appreciated having my whole body/person considered, rather than just bits. I’m also extremely happy, because I haven’t taken antihistamine since the appointment and I’m not having any of my usual hayfever/sinus issues (although Friday evening was VERY soggy – I’m guessing that was the excessive dampness leaving!). I have my fingers crossed for a similar result for the rest of my body. I have my next appointment on Thursday. I’ll let you know how it goes.
We’ll now move onto the metaphysical. Those readers not into this may like to visit this website instead.
The Metaphysical.
I’ve been reading Ann Drake’s book “Healing of the Soul”, which is on shamanism and psychotherapy. As a shaman studying counselling theory, it seemed a logical read!
As well as having some of the clearest descriptions of shamanic work for a Western audience that I have read, reading the book also challenged me to apply some of the techniques to my own life/spirit. This is something that, like most humans, I try to avoid because I don’t really enjoy confronting my ’stuff’. Helping others is so much easier!
This particular work involves checking one’s chakra systems for blockages then sorting out the blockages. It was pointed out to me fairly strongly by my spirit colleagues that if I was going to do this for others I needed to do it for myself. Cowardice was not to be an option, alas!
I was expecting to find a few blockages, especially around my second chakra – given my issues with endo. What I found was serious blockages round all but three chakras. My root, third eye and crown chakras were the only unblocked ones. So, I set to work trying to clear the blockages. I was expecting to confront stuff from my current life as I know I have had issues in all the affected areas – and this certainly happened. What I really wasn’t expecting was to be thrown into very strong traumatic memories from previous lives (especially as I’m still not intellectually sure how I feel about the ‘past life’ stuff). I now know where my deep-to-the-point-of-being-irrational fears of rape and dying through violence come from (I always accepted there were rational fears about these things, but my fears were on a different level again). Hopefully I can now heal properly. Certainly it feels like my energy is flowing more freely – and I’m sure the acupuncture will only help this.
So, onwards and upwards now, I hope. And I trust you now understand why blogging last week was a bit tricky!
Eastern medicine was frequently looked at with a dubious eye by most practitioners in the West. One element of easter medicine, acupuncturist, is changing this. That has been slowly, but surely, changing over a period of time. Acupuncture has been with us for over five thousand years. It is believed to have originated in China over 5,000 years ago. To give you some point of view, consider the fact that the US is only some 230 plus years old. London, the capital of England, is only two thousand years of age. Rome is one of the oldest cities in the West and is only 2,700 and years old. Acupuncture has been around nearly twice as long!
When the pathways for this energy get out of strike, the body suffers and produces symptoms. The practice of acupuncture is focused on removing any inhibitors to the energy flow. Once this is done, the symptoms vanish. The energy is understood in Chinese medicine as’Qi’, but is mostly called’Chi’ in the West.
the character of acupuncture is commonly overtaken by a simple tool used – needles. Nobody truly likes needles because they associate them with discomfort. The picture of a child in the doctor’s office getting an immunization with a big needle is a nightmare we all experienced as youngsters. Well, acupuncture needles are a wholly different matter. Blockages in these flow lines are identified by practitioners. The needles are then inserted along these lines in strategic places to get rid of the blockages.
What can acupuncture do for you? Well, it clearly depends on the problem you suffer from. The treatment is understood to be highly useful with low back stiffness, headaches, sciatica, sinusitis and even weight loss. Fresh research at the University of Texas has exposed acupuncture is also beneficial in relieving the side effects of chemo treatment for certain cancers. This is not the case. Don’t hesitate to look into possible acupuncture treatments that could be available for your condition.
Appt with RE #3 was today, and Bobby and I agree that this is guy we’re sticking with. Things I like: he has a private practice, his office staff is super-nice and helpful, and he has pictures of baby successes EVERYwhere. During the consultation, I mentioned that it was Day 3 of this cycle… didn’t think it would matter since we’re waiting until November, right? Wrong. Within the next 5 minutes, I’ve got a needle in my arm, filling up 11 — yes, ELEVEN — vials of blood.
Miscarriage panel (includes Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin II, MTHFR mutations, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant)
I have an appt Friday for an HSG to check for physical blockages, and Bobby has an appt next week for an SDFA (advanced semen analysis that tests for DNA fragmentation). We’ll meet with #3 in two weeks to go over the test results.
#3 mentioned genetic karotyping, but didn’t even blink when I told him that Bobby & I aren’t interested in doing genetics until we ensure that the issue isn’t hormonal &/or physical.
And today was my 4th acupuncture appt. So I really enjoy acupuncture, and feel like I’m benefitting hugely from it. However, it is astronomically expensive… The sessions are individually pricey. The evaluation sessions are extra. But the herbs & supplements?! Wow. Walked out with $180 worth of Chinese herbs today. Holy mother, that’s some expensive shit, and it smells like dirt and I’m supposed to put it in warm water and drink it 3 times/day. Blech.
But despite my Chinese herb sticker-shock, today felt like a gigantic step in the right direction. I feel like we’ve found the guy who’s going to help us figure things out. And you know what? Maybe it’ll be our baby’s picture on his bulletin board next year… wouldn’t that be lovely?
Days 4 through 11 of my cycle I have to drink what I have dubbed ‘icky tea.’ Three times a day I boil water, pour it into a mug, and add three scoops of my tea. I do add lots of honey to make it… palatable. I’m on day 9 now, just 2 more to go!
Sometimes, lately, I have to stop and really think about what I’m doing. Sometimes, I’m not sure! I’m taking herbs and drinking teas and being stuck with needles and eating organic and not eating dairy and thinking a lot about doing yoga but not really doing much of it and excersizing and massaging my ovaries and breathing deeply and trying and trying and trying to not be stressed. Not be stressed? Really? Really.
This is my second month of an acupuncture cycle. This time, I took pills (Four Augmented Substances) for days 1, 2, and 3. Then I get to drink my icky tea. Days 12-16, I take more pills. After that… starting on day 17, a whole different kind of tea. More on that one when I get to it.
… And of course everyone knows that wheat is in everything, so to be quite honest, I’m waiting until after the holidays to eliminate that from my diet so I can still enjoy my moms turkey stuffing and goodies galore!! *blush*